Train driver praised for dog rescue on Southampton Airport platform

Jack Garrett with his dog Lexi <i>(Image: Jack Garrett)</i>
Jack Garrett with his dog Lexi (Image: Jack Garrett)
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A man has praised a "heroic" train driver for leaping to the rescue to save his family dog when she fell between the platform and the train.

Jack Garrett had been disembarking from the 1.54pm Shawford station to Southampton Airport Parkway to see his kids, when his pet dog Lexi, a black Labrador cross with a ridgeback, fell in the gap between the platform and the train.

Jack said: "I was stunned and in shock. She was hanging on by her lead and collar."

Describing the harrowing incident on May 19, Jack said he had Lexi's lead in one hand and a bike in the other, and he froze.

Lexi was grabbing onto the side of the platform with her front paws, held up only by her own efforts and the lead around her neck, which was gradually slipping.

Jack added: " I was just in complete shock.

"The only thing holding her up was me on the lead and her paws on the platform.

"I was just watching as the lead was pulling away from her neck, then from absolutely nowhere, the driver came in and pulled her to safety.

"The train driver sprinted and dived to save her and was able to pull her to safety.

"If he wasn't there and he hadn't got her, she would have been a goner, there's no doubt about it. Absolute godsend that he was there."

Mr Garrett added that the driver's name was Ben, though he was unable to get a surname, and he has already reached out to South Western Railway to express his gratitude.

Jack said: "I was so grateful and proud of him for saving our family pet.

"He was a hero today."

Lexi is 11 years old, and Jack Garrett raised her from a puppy, adding that his five children would have been "absolutely devastated" had she fallen through the gap.

Jack, of Twyford, takes this train every week and said he hadn't considered how dangerous it could be, adding he will be taking extra care disembarking with Lexi.

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